That We Do Justly (Lesson 1) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. That We Do Justly

E. Remarks.

1. This is lesson 1, in the sermon-series entitled: “What doth God Require?" Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, and both ministered in the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The name Micah means, "Who is like Jehovah?" The theme of Micah is: “To hear.” A recurring theme unto God's people: “The first of all commandments is to: Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord...There are no other commandments greater than these,” Mark 12:29-31. Isaiah prophesied in the king's court; while, Micah humbly spoke unto the ordinary people. Micah, like Amos prophesied strongly against immorality, social injustices, and the oppression of the poor, by the rich and powerful. These seem to be similar sins that now plague our Nation, along with the Coronavirus, COVID-19. Micah was answering the question of the people: “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD?” Micah responded: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good (righteous), and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:6-8. These are qualities of faith and obedience that God delights in His people. We will notice what God requires; and how, this Nation has: “fallen short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

2. We will observe that God requires that: “we do justly” before Him, our brethren, and our fellow-man: regardless of their religious, racial, or economic standing in life. God has somewhat against Judah; and, with America as well. They were dealing treacherously, dishonestly and without integrity among each other, and with their fellow-man. The rich set out to oppress the poor. The merchants defrauded and deceived their customers. And their religious establishment permitted their immorality, injustices, and corrupt practices to go unchecked. Micah was crying out within the land against the people, while Isaiah was accusing: "That the leaders of this people have caused them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed,” Isaiah 9:16. Is there one crying out in this land, to do justly unto all men, that God might be well pleased? With this brief introduction, let’s consider the lesson 1, in this sermon-series: “that we do justly.”

BODY OF LESSON

I THAT WE DO JUSTLY

A. Micah, the prophet. The name Micah means “who is like Jehovah?” There is none so just as the King of Kings: And yet none so merciful, who pardons, “the remnant of His heritage,” Isaiah 9:17. There is a similarity between the message of Micah and Isaiah. His preaching is vital to America's problems today. Observe--

1. Isaiah prophesied in the king’s court; while, Micah humbly spoke unto the ordinary people. Some may preach to a vast audience, a mega institution. Others may preach only to a handful of godly people.

2. Whatever our audience, it is essential for us to charge these to: "Hear the word of the Lord." Let it be clear: the size of the assembly does not sanctify the message. However, the sermon does bless the meeting, whether great or small. Jesus said: "Sanctify them through thy truth, for thy word is truth," John 17:17.

3. The theme of Micah is: “To hear.” It is a recurring theme unto this people: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might,” Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The first commandment is to hear, O, Israel!

4. Moses instructed them: “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,” Deuteronomy 10:12. Jesus taught Israel these same commandments. A lawyer inquired of the commandments of God.

5. The Lord’s reply: “And Jesus answered him (the lawyer): The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

a. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with thy soul, and with thy entire mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

b. “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandments greater than these.”

c. “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all thy heart, and with all thy understanding, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

d. “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst asks him any question,” Mark 12:29-34; Matthew 22:37-40.